The 14th Pakistan Mountain Festival, organized annually by Devcom-Pakistan to mark International Mountain Day, kicked off with a successful clean-up drive at Margalla Hills Trail-5 on Sunday.
Over 100 eager students from various universities participated, joining efforts to promote awareness about preserving mountain ecosystems and the importance of conserving natural resources.
International Mountain Day, celebrated globally on December 11, was established by the United Nations to underline the vital role of mountain ecosystems in sustaining life on Earth. Mountains, which cover 22 percent of the world’s land area, provide crucial resources like freshwater for half of humanity.
The observance also highlights challenges faced by mountain regions, such as climate change, habitat destruction, and difficulties endured by mountain communities.
Speaking at the clean-up drive, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director and Founder of Pakistan Mountain Festival, Munir Ahmed, underscored the pivotal role of mountain ecosystems in supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and offering essential services like clean water and air purification.
“Mountains are life-support systems for millions globally. Their protection is not just a local responsibility but a global imperative,” he said. Munir Ahmed also reflected on the contributions of the Pakistan Mountain Festival over the past 14 years in raising awareness about these issues.
“Citizens can play a proactive role as custodians of mountains. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), with citizen support, has significantly contributed to preserving the Margalla Hills National Park and must continue doing so.
Devcom-Pakistan’s mountain festival serves as a platform to engage communities, particularly youth, in conservation efforts while celebrating Pakistan’s rich cultural and ecological mountain heritage. Through activities like clean-ups, exhibitions, cultural performances, conferences, and youth forums, we have worked to bring mountain-related challenges into the national conversation.”
Rina Saeed Khan, Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), emphasized the importance of the Margalla Hills National Park for Islamabad’s growing population. “These hills are crucial not only for their biodiversity but also for the ecological services they provide, such as water retention, flood prevention, and temperature regulation. Protecting them is essential for the city’s welfare,” she said.
The clean-up drive highlighted the urgent need to tackle threats to the Margalla Hills, including littering, encroachments, and unsustainable development. By actively participating, students and youth demonstrated their dedication to conserving these critical ecosystems and pledged to motivate others to join the cause.
Commenting on the upcoming activities, Devcom-Pakistan Creative Director Riffat Ara Baig stated: The Pakistan Mountain Festival will continue with events such as cultural performances, live painting sessions, and exhibitions, aiming to raise awareness about mountain ecosystems and the challenges encountered by mountain communities.
